Albany, NY, Mar 03, 2010 — Senator Darrel Aubertine says he believes a farmworker rights' bill can pass the Senate. But the North Country Democrat says it has to protect farmworkers, farmers, and consumers. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Feb 03, 2010 — It could soon be easier for New York's thousands of individual local governments to share equipment and services. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 07, 2010 — Most of the reforms and initiatives Gov. David Paterson outlined yesterday require legislative approval. Early reaction to his package of ethics reforms, including campaign finance reform and term limits, has been cool. But there were signs of comity yesterday. Martha Foley has reaction from the region.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Aug 19, 2009 — Governor David Paterson has released a draft of the new New York State Energy Plan. It will affect how we heat our homes, power our appliances, businesses, and factories, and how much it will all cost. The plan sets a goal of using 30% renewable electricity by 2015 and reducing energy usage by 15% over the same timeframe. Public hearings are being held statewide. The first one yesterday in Canton held symbolic and political significance. David Sommerstein explains why.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Aug 06, 2009 — State Senators meet in Albany to vote on mayoral control of NYC schools, but the bigger story is the political climate in the capitol. It is the Senate's first day together since a failed Republican "coup" and a stalemate over majority power that brought all other business to a dead stop for five weeks. Two New York City Democrats switched sides June 8 to join Republicans in a coalition that gave the GOP the majority. The two eventually switched back, restoring a slim Democratic majority, and gaining leadership posts for themselves in the bargain.

Albany Times-Union state editor Casey Seiler talked with All Before Five host Jonathan Brown about the coup, the upstate-downstate effects of the new Democratic majority and today's special session.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jul 24, 2009 — John McHugh is still Congressman in Washington. His confirmation hearings to become Secretary of the Army haven't even been scheduled yet. But the race to replace him is already running fast and furious. On Wednesday, Republican leaders in the 23rd district anointed Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava to be their candidate. And last night, Senate Senator Darrel Aubertine announced he would not run for the Democrats. There have been robocalls, attack ads, national attention, but still no election scheduled yet. David Sommerstein's been following it all and joins Martha Foley for an update.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 30, 2009 — North Country Senator Darrel Aubertine says he still supports a short-term power sharing deal to get non-controversial bills passed. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 26, 2009 — State Senate leaders are still trying to work out a power-sharing deal. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Next Wednesday, July 1, some laws expire unless the Senate comes to an agreement and extends the measures. The Senate is scheduled to meet today at noon, and Gov. David Paterson has already planned to call the chamber into session tomorrow afternoon and again on Sunday evening if the squabbling lawmakers don't get their work done. Martha Foley spoke with Adirondack Bureau Chief Brian Mann about what's at stake, and where North Country Senators fit into the mix.  Go to full article

Cape Vincent, NY, Jun 19, 2009 — Speculation that North Country Democrat Darrel Aubertine might join the GOP-dominated coalition in the state Senate built Thursday when he talked with Republicans about a temporary power sharing strategy to move bills through the deadlocked Senate.(see related story)

Speaking from back in his district this morning, he told Martha Foley he was interested in a temporary plan to move bills through the Senate in the next few days. He said the deal broke down when Republicans refused to "back away" from their insistence that renegade Democratic Senator Pedro Espada remain as Senate president Pro Tem, even when Democrats were having their turn at controlling the chamber.

Aubertine said talks are continuing, and that he has hopes the Senate will be able to work out a way to cooperate to get critical legislation through this session. Here's their conversation.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 19, 2009 — (TEXT ONLY) The fight for control of the state Senate enter its 12th day today. There were negotiations behind closed doors yesterday. And the Republicans-plus-one coalition members convened in the Senate, but didn't have the quorum necessary to do business. That briefly focused a bright light of speculation on North Country Democrat Darrel Aubertine.

Rules of the chamber require a quorum of 32 Senators. But the Democratic and Republican-dominated voting blocs are evenly split, 31-31. And Democrats have refused to physically enter the Senate chamber since the coalition "coup" last week.

Yesterday, it appeared Aubertine would enter the chamber. Republican leader Dean Skelos says Aubertine asked the coalition to vote on renewing "Power for Jobs." The program ensures low-cost electricity for companies employing large numbers of workers in the North Country.

Speaking with reporters yesterday afternoon, Skelos said he asked Aubertine to join them in the chamber, "but he's opted not to."

Aubertine confirmed to the Albany Times Union that he was prepared to work with Republicans in order to renew "Power for Jobs." Spokesman Drew Mangione says that action was contingent on a bipartisan power agreement only. He said Aubertine was never considering becoming part of a Dean Skelos- or Pedro Espada-led coalition.

Yesterday afternoon, Aubertine issued a statement calling Democrat Espada's leadership role "unacceptable" and demanded that his title be revoked.  Go to full article